Child found home alone with 19 snakes

SUFFOLK, Va. — A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged after allegedly leaving his child home alone with nearly two dozen dangerous animals in Suffolk.

Emmanuel Valazquez was charged with cruelty and injuries to children, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Suffolk police spokesperson Debbie George.

Valazquez’s 7-year-old son called police to let them know that his dog was missing.

Police came to the house and found that the child was home alone with 19 snakes, one of which was a 14-foot Python, two bearded dragons, and two pit bulls. There were also feeder mice found in the home.

Police asked where the mother was in all of this, and he said they were divorced. Police said it is legal for the homeowner to have these animals.

George said days before the incident, the 7-year-old’s younger brother, a 5-year-old, was found walking on Godwin Boulevard by a passerby.

Valazquez told police that the child had left the house while he was sleeping.